What Nobody Tells You About Grief and Loss

In today’s episode, you’re going to learn what nobody tells you about grief and loss. Whether you’ve lost someone recently, years ago, or are anticipating a loss, this conversation will give you clarity, relief, and a way forward. Or if someone you love is grieving and you feel helpless and want to know how to support them, after this conversation you will know exactly what to say and do.  Joining Mel today is David Kessler, one of the world’s most renowned experts on grief and loss and bestselling author of eight books, who has spent more than 40 years helping millions of people through the hardest moments of their lives. David has lived profound loss himself, and he brings a rare combination of research, compassion, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom. What he shares today will change the way you understand grief, your own emotions, and what healing actually looks like. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The real reason grief feels so confusing (and why you’re not “doing it wrong”) -The biggest mistakes people make when they’re grieving -What to say (and what never to say) when someone you love is grieving - Why waves of sadness hit you out of nowhere - What grief bursts and love bursts are and what they mean -Why guilt is so common after loss and how to release it -How to carry your love forward without being trapped in pain -The surprising ways laughter and anger help you heal  Today, David offers you a simple framework to live with more peace, grace, and meaning after loss. If you’ve ever felt alone in your grief, confused by your emotions, or pressured to “move on,” this conversation is for you.You are not doing it wrong. You are not alone.And with David’s clear, compassionate guidance, you’ll understand how healing can become possible. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page.  As a gift to listeners of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel has created a free 20-page workbook to help you make 2026 a great year. This workbook is designed using the latest research to help you get clear about what you want and empower you to take the next step forward in your life. And the cool part? It takes less than a minute for you to get your hands on it. Just sign up at melrobbins.com/bestyear. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: Why You Feel Lost in Life: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & How to HealConnect with Mel:   Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryGet on the waitlist for Pure GeniusWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you want to make 2026 your best year yet? An amazing year doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice. And there are only 6 questions to ask yourself for instant clarity and insight. Your answers will show you what the very next steps are in your life. The brand new companion workbook to this episode can be found at melrobbins.com/bestyear. In this episode, Mel walks you through her empowering, research-backed, year-end ritual designed to set you up for success. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to steer your energy to make next year your best yet.  She will cover: -The powerful year-end ritual she has used for the past 22 years -The simple question to ask yourself to know what you really want -Why doing this every single year is the key to her own success - and how if you've done this process in the past, you can take it up a notch this year -How to use your camera roll to highlight your year -The one best step you should take after listening to this episode -Her own reflections on the year and the goals she is setting. This episode comes with a 20-page companion workbook. This brand new workbook is designed to help you get clear about what you want and empower you to take the next step forward in your life. And the cool part? It takes less than a minute for you to get your hands on it.Just sign up at melrobbins.com/bestyear. To learn more about Pure Genius, which Mel mentioned in today’s episode, click here to get on the waitlist.For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: How to Reinvent Your Life Starting TodayConnect with Mel:   Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get on the waitlist for Pure GeniusGet Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is a MUST listen. If you feel stuck right now - whether it’s with your health, your job, your habits, your relationships - this conversation is for you. Today, you’re getting a new framework that helps you create an instant shift, and it comes from one of Mel’s favorite thinkers on the planet: Mark Rober. Mark is a NASA engineer who turned his love of science and education into the #1 science education platform in the world, with 72 million YouTube subscribers. And here’s here to teach you a completely different way to approach goals, confidence, and happiness: Treat your entire life like an experiment. Mark has spent his life turning failure into data, setbacks into experiments, and high-pressure work into play. He has synthesized every single thing he has learned into a few simple tools and strategies that he is teaching you today. His personal framework, rooted in engineering, will help you achieve your goals, improve your habits, be happier, make better decisions, have more fun, and become more confident. This is about thinking like an engineer, not to build rockets, but to build a better life. You’ll learn: -How to make your goals more fun so you stick with them -What the Super Mario Effect is and how it will change how you think about “failure” forever  -A stress-free way to choose your next step when the future feels blurry You’ll also learn the lessons behind some of his wildest experiments, his simple method for beating overwhelm and uncertainty, and a specific message for teachers. If you’re tired of overthinking, afraid to make a move, or bored with your own excuses, this episode is a masterclass in engineering your way forward and turning failure into fuel.  For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Figure Out What You Really Want.Still looking for a holiday gift?One of Mel’s favorite gifts to give is a CrunchLabs subscription.And as a gift to listeners of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mark is offering a special discount of 15% off any CrunchLabs subscription using the code MELROBBINS. These monthly subscription boxes, created by Mark, are great for the kids in your life because they are designed to foster creativity, inspire hands-on engineering, and teach robotics and coding skills. Connect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve been feeling the itch for something more in life: a new chapter, a new dream, a new version of yourself – this episode is your green light. It is a guide to how you can transform your life at any moment. Today, Mel sits down with her friend Hoda Kotb. Hoda, more than anyone else, will prove to you that reinvention is something you CAN do. In her twenties and thirties, she climbed the ranks in newsrooms across the country and refused to quit until she landed one of the most coveted jobs in the world, a co-anchor of the Today Show. In her forties she became a breast cancer survivor, in her fifties she adopted her daughters and became a mother for the first time, and at sixty, she walked away from the peak of her career to launch a brand-new business with no prior experience. Every single time life whispered, “It’s too late for you,” Hoda said, “No, it’s not. Watch me.” The wisdom she is sharing, directly with you, will prove that it's not too late – you can reinvent your life. She is going to walk you step by step through how she did it, over and over again. She will teach you how to: -“Stop the train” of your life, zoom out, and honestly ask, “Is this actually enough for me?” -Find the courage to give voice to the quiet dream you’ve buried because you’re afraid it won’t happen -Keep going when other people say you're not good enough -Reframe fear, rejection, and “no” using Hoda’s wild early-career story (27 rejections and ONE person who changed everything) -Truly start to believe that you do deserve more If you feel stuck in your job, your relationship, your routine, or just in a version of yourself you’ve outgrown, this episode is your permission slip and your playbook. This is your sign. This is your moment.Let Hoda show you what’s possible. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next with Dr. Martha Beck: How to Find Your Purpose & Design the Life You WantConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is one of the most motivating episodes of all time on The Mel Robbins Podcast. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unmotivated, or like it’s too late to reach your potential, you need to hear this conversation. Today’s episode is a wake-up call. You can break free of regret, shame, and fear. You can become the person you know you’re meant to be. It’s not too late to change. And this conversation will show you how. Today, you’re going to meet one of the most inspiring and motivational human beings on the planet, viral powerhouse Wallace Peeples, also known as Wallo. Wallo spent 20 years in prison and came out with nothing but $1,000, a used iPhone, and a mission to change his life. Now, he reaches millions every week with a message that reminds you that you are capable of so much more. Whether you’re rebuilding after a setback, struggling to believe change is possible, or finally ready to stop making excuses and start moving, this conversation will light a fire under you. And fair warning: this episode is more intense than the average episode. More cursing. But also more truth and even more fuel. Because sometimes that’s what breakthrough sounds like. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: It’s Not Too Late: How to Transform Your Life at Any MomentConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you are tired of your own excuses… If you are tired of starting out strong, only to end up in the exact same place… If you feel like you can’t get your life together… If you feel unmotivated and exhausted… That makes complete sense. The end of the year is almost here and you need a little PUSH to get over the finish line. So Mel is giving you the simple reset you need to finish the year with energy and focus. Today, Mel is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg, and he’s breaking down the three small habits that will quietly reset your mind and body and change your life with the least amount of effort. The 3 habits are small. They are doable, and they are designed to work when you’re tired, unmotivated, and fed up with yourself. There is a reason this episode is dropping right now, on Cyber Monday. It’s because you don’t need a new pair of leggings or a tech gadget to make your life better. You need just one hour to listen to this episode. Forget complicated routines. Charles gives you the 3 things that work.  You’ll discover: -The 3 most important habits to create the most possible change in your life, for the least amount of effort -The mindset trick that makes "getting fit" MUCH easier -The ARC Morning Formula to try tomorrow-The “hot mind” vs. “cold mind” approach and why it matters -How to motivate yourself to change your behavior  You will be able to quietly upgrade everything in your life.  This is not another productivity pep talk. It’s a playbook that you can start using today. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out Charles’ first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast: How to Talk to Difficult People: Proven Strategies to Stop Arguments & Feel Connected AgainConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn a simple tool you can use to feel happier and more connected to your loved ones. Mel is teaching you a few simple gratitude practices, ones you can do with your family, your partner, or even in a group text, that are proven to lower stress and make any relationship better. Mel used to cringe at the word gratitude.  The fake smiles. The toxic positivity. The pressure to be “thankful” while your life is falling apart.  But then she uncovered the real science – and what it does to your brain and body is shocking.This episode is not about keeping a journal or faking a smile.  This is about rewiring your brain, resetting your nervous system, and reclaiming control of your emotional state using simple, proven tools backed by cutting-edge research. You’ll learn: -How gratitude shifts your brain out of survival mode and into clarity and calm -The surprising link between gratitude and inflammation, heart health, and sleep -How one group text a day can make gratitude stick (and make it contagious)  Want to be happier?  Want to feel more grounded, more emotionally in control, and less hijacked by your stress? Start here. These tools are simple enough to try with your partner.They’re powerful enough to shift the tone in your home.And they’re easy enough to send in your favorite group text.By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with 3 science-backed practices that change how you think, how you feel, and how you move through your day – starting today. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked this episode, check out these ones next, with the experts featured in this episode:Dr. Tara Swart: The #1 Neuroscientist: After Listening to This, Your Brain Will Not Be the SameDr. Aditi Nerurkar: #1 Stress Doctor: 5 Tools to Protect Your Brain From Stress & Feel Calmer NowIf you liked the episode, check out this one next: How to Deal with Difficult People & Not Get Stressed OutConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, you’re going to learn the root cause of why you feel stuck. Whether you feel trapped in self-doubt, overwhelmed by anxiety, or find yourself in a dynamic that keeps repeating, this conversation will show you how to break free. Joining Mel today is Lori Gottlieb: world-renowned therapist, writer of the “Ask the Therapist” column for The New York Times, author of “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,” which has sold 3 million copies, and host of the podcast Since You Asked. Lori is here to help you change the most powerful force shaping your life: the story you’re telling yourself. What she shares today will change the way you see yourself, your relationships, and your past. In this episode, you’ll learn: -How to identify the story that’s keeping you stuck -What emotional trauma has to do with your inner dialogue -How anxiety is fueled by the way you talk to yourself -The simple tools to calm anxiety and stop spiraling -The biggest questions people bring to therapy and what they all have in common -How to reclaim the author role in your life and stop being defined by your pastIf you’ve ever felt like you missed your shot, like you’re too much or not enough, or that it’s too late to feel better, this conversation is for you. You are not the story you’ve been telling yourself. You are the author. And today, with Lori’s help, you’ll learn how to write something new – starting now. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: The Truth About Anxiety & ADHD: Life-Changing Tools From a Renowned PsychiatristConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if you could meet with your older, wiser self for a few minutes and get all the answers you need to live a life you’re proud of? A life with more joy and fewer regrets. A life of purpose and passion. That’s exactly what this episode feels like. In this powerful conversation, Mel sits down with Dr. Karl Pillemer, director of Cornell University’s Legacy Project. Dr. Pillemer has spent years researching the lessons and regrets of thousands of people in their 80s, 90s, and 100s. His mission? To gather the life lessons they most want you to know, before it’s too late. What his research reviews is not vague inspiration. It’s sharp, honest truth about what makes a good life and what everyone gets wrong. This wisdom is a gift, delivered while you still have time to use it. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The biggest regrets people carry into their final years, and how to avoid them -The simple shift that leads to lasting happiness -What people in their 90s say they would do differently if they were your age -How to stop waiting for your “real life” to start – and start living it now. Let this be the conversation that changes you. Because the people who’ve lived the longest are clear on one thing: It all goes by so fast.For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: What Matters Most In Life (In Memory of Judge Frank Caprio). Connect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, you are getting research-backed strategies for handling difficult people. If you’re done being dismissed, talked over, or made to feel small, this episode will help you show up with power - and walk away with peace.Whether it’s family, coworkers, friends, or anyone who knows how to trigger you, today you’re getting tools for dealing with difficult people.In this solo episode, Mel dives deep into how to respond to disrespect, deal with emotionally immature behavior without losing yourself, and finally stop overreacting and  overexplaining around people who are never going to change.Mel also discusses The Let Them Theory, the powerful relationship tool that’s changed millions of lives, and shows you how to:-Stand up for yourself without sounding aggressive -Handle gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and “just joking” comments -Set boundaries without explaining or over-apologizing -Respond to fake apologies and toxic behavior with clarity -Stay calm and confident, even when someone’s pushing your buttons -Recognize emotional immaturity and stop taking it personally -Let go of control and stop trying to fix people who don’t want to change  After this episode, you’ll know how to stay grounded and feel more connected to the people you love - without getting pulled into their drama.For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, You Need to Hear ThisConnect with Mel:  Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration.Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.